Cyber Security for Digital Economy in Asia-Pacific Region

New security issues revolved around economic and environmental issues but since mid-2000’s the security concerns have expanded to terrorism, transnational crime and biological threats. The expansion of cyberspace has occurred at a dramatic pace over the past two decades. Accordingly, it is becoming increasingly necessary for APEC governments to protect their interests by working together. To do so effectively will require the adoption of policies and processes used to foster regional integration in other sectors and transfer them into the realm of cyberspace. This article stands at the intersection of the tradition of regional institutions and the nascent area of theorizing about cyber politics in international relations. Its purpose is to provide an initial baseline, for mapping and tracing regional responses to a rapidly changing international landscape managing security issues in the cyber domain has developed in complementing ways, but that it is still constructing phase. In the context of cyber security, the strategic plan appears not to provide either a substantial change in the current policy or a push for deeper cooperation. The objectives listed in the cyber security-related priority area (promoting a secure, resilient and trusted ICT environment) are not considerably different from the previous strategic plan; the only observation is that the new plan covers action areas and potential initiatives in slightly more in detail. Nevertheless, the actions listed in the document promote basic forms of cooperation between the APEC members and relevant stakeholders. It mostly calls for capacity-building efforts, raising awareness on cyber security, and enhanced cooperation by sharing information on best practices among stakeholders such as CERTs.